In a surprising and concerning incident, an unidentified United States Secret Service (USSS) agent was the victim of a robbery in Southern California over the weekend. This event occurred while President Joe Biden was attending a star-studded fundraiser in Los Angeles, underscoring the increasing audacity of criminals and concerns about public safety in the Golden State.
Details Of The Incident
The robbery took place in Orange County, with officers from the Tustin Police Department responding to the scene at approximately 9:36 p.m. on Saturday. The unnamed agent had his bag stolen at gunpoint and discharged his firearm during the confrontation. Despite the potential for catastrophic injury, the agent escaped unharmed. The police are unsure if the suspect, or suspects, were injured.
ABC News has more:
“Officers have located some of the victim's belongings in the area and the incident is still being investigated. There is no known threat to the public,” according to a press release.
Tustin police are looking for a model 2004-2006 silver Infiniti FX35, they said, sharing a photo of the vehicle
The Secret Service has not responded to ABC News' request for comment.
President Joe Biden was in California over the weekend for a glitzy campaign stop with former President Barack Obama and several high-profile celebrities, including George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Jimmy Kimmel.
Rising Crime Rates In California
Unfortunately, The robbery of a Secret Service agent is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend of increasing crime rates in California. Recent statistics paint a troubling picture:
- Robbery Rates: In 2022, California saw a 10.2% increase in robbery rates compared to 2021. This follows a general upward trend in violent crimes across the state.
- Commercial Robberies: These saw a notable uptick, increasing by 9.1% in 2022 compared to 2021 and by 13.3% since 2019.
These statistics are part of a broader rise in both violent and property crimes, reflecting a growing concern among residents and authorities alike.
